The Editor, Sir:

I have listened with interest to the recent concerns expressed by Opposition Spokesman on Agriculture Roger Clarke and Minister of Agriculture Dr Christopher Tufton concerning the unacceptable issue with imported fertiliser that includes human wastes being used on crops and the debate on its safety.

The question is not whether the food is safe, but whether or not our Government is serious in its quest to protect the health of the nation by ensuring verification checks are done at our ports before the products are released into the food supply chain.

The Jamaican consumer, manufacturer and retailer should not be concerned, but worried about the safety of the food chain as the ingredient of human wastes in fertiliser should not be an acceptable component for direct application in our soil and crops. A comprehensive food-safety policy which defines 'safe' food is urgently needed as clearly in the absence of this policy, there will be loopholes allowing unacceptable ingredients into the market.

FAECAL ORGANISMS

It is well known that pathogenic organisms such as clostridium perfringens, E. coli, faecal streptococci, typhoid, cholera and dysentery can be carried through the gut of infected personnel and be excreted in faeces. Fertilisers already contain high levels of toxic metals that can have long term effects on our systems. Worldwide concerns are expressed by consumers for changes on the use of hazardous wastes in the manufacturing of fertilisers. These substances are not essential to crop and plant growth and can negatively affect soil, food quality and human health.

There is no tracking system in place for recycled products such as fertilisers, the tracking requirements actually ends once the product is made. The tracking of industrial wastes from cradle to grave and maintaining stringent handling requirements are significant components to ensuring protection of public and environmental health. Any exemptions in these areas put the public at risk. The addition of human faeces as a component to fertilisers, in my opinion, increases the risks of the health of the ordinary consumer.

There is still no data existing for the Jamaica populace on an annual basis who might have suffered from food-borne illness and I believe this system is well overdue.

Health risks

Consumers rely on the Government to protect us through checks and tests of imported goods at our ports and to ensure compliance on importing foodstuffs and agents into our country. We are being encouraged to 'eat what we grow', but in light of this latest scenario, are these foods safe? The Jamaican populace should demand a safe and wholesome food supply from our Government, who have a duty to protect us through proper policies.

In light of this incident, consumers' health is at risk from threats of serious disease outbreaks unless priority is placed on testing and compliance at our ports and that this is mandatory for all batches. There should also be testing within the marketplace so that important information on safety is not negated. High-risk foodstuffs such as our fruits, natural juices and vegetables are now presented with increased hazards from the farm and its safety is in our Government's hand. Jamaican consumers must rally for the Government to put the necessary measures in place to prevent this type of abuse from recurring.

I am, etc.,

MARVA HEWITT-HEAVEN

marvam1@yahoo.com

Food Hygiene Bureau

PO Box 2368

Kingston 8